Hemang Badani is completely at home in Rohtak. The former Indian middle- order batsman never thought of a situation where he would play against Tamil Nadu but all that has changed for the professional as he prepared to accept the fact and move on. Haryana coach Ashwani Kumar had spoken highly of Badani and agreed that it was the calming influence of the 34-year-old that played a huge role in his side reaching the knockouts.
“When I learnt we were playing Tamil Nadu I got a bit emotional. Nothing can ever replace the joy I got playing for my home state. It was a little difficult to prepare but I have undersood my responsibilities and I had to keep focus on the job. The TN dressing room was where I had made friends for life. It was where my cricket started at the age of 12,” said an emotional Badani.
From leading the Ranji side, getting eventually dropped and moving to the ICL before coming back to be signed by Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, Hemang saw more events unfolding in the last four seasons than ever before. Having contributed for TN from the under-12 stages to Ranji Trophy wins, Badani’s exit from the state side was not well handled. “No complaints, I am happy where I am at the moment,” added the left-hander.
At a time where there is not much time left, Badani stressed playing for Haryana has been a big education on how a batsman should never stop from learning. “I probably have three more seasons left in me but this year was one of the best ever and to play in conditions where the ball moves constantly was a challenge I relished,” said Badani.
With 374 runs at an average of 41.55 in the league stage, Badani was the pivot in the middle-order. “In the south you get a boundary ball every two overs. This was the first time in my career where I had gone for five to six overs without scoring a run. Not getting the ball to hit on the rise and unable to hit through the line, I learnt to be more disciplined, it’s been an amazing experience,” explained Badani who played four Tests and 40 ODIs for the country.
After BCCI’s amnesty offer to all ICL players, Badani returned to the mainstream two seasons ago and only missed out playing for Rajasthan last year because the state association got into a legal mess. Turning out for Grand Slam Cricket Club (India Cements) in the TNCA senior division league, Badani did what he knows best - pile up the runs. The form he showed helped him gain a contract with CSK but it was not enough to get a place in the playing XI.
“To be honest I don’t have age on my side. I would rather be out in the park rather than sitting on the benches. Well CSK had a winning combination and why would they change that? I understand that completely. But I will have a talk with the franchise if they want me again. I would definitely insist on playing,” said Badani who was one of the top-performers for Chennai Superstars in the ICL.
Badani has more responsibilities on his shoulders with this young Haryana side. “I bat at five and act sort of a bridge between the top and lower order. The 65 I made against Himachal Pradesh set the tone and the 88 against Karnataka was vital too. I am enjoying my cricket more than ever before and playing a role similar to what I do with Grand Slam in Chennai,” concluded Badani. His committed efforts for his club and adopted state are testimony to his hunger for runs remaining intact. The bowlers in the domestic scene cannot relax yet.